Hibiki 17 Year

Could this be the finest dram I've sampled in 2018? So far, it is. Let me begin by saying I kept this sample for quite some time, awaiting a special occasion. I decided my 300th whisky would be the renowned Hibiki 21yo, but I couldn't do that without trying the 17yo first. Therefore, this, my 299th whisky, is also the famous Hibiki 17yo. Easily among the best blended whiskies I've ever encountered. Bottled at 43%abv, deep gold color. Let's start with its primary characteristic: it's incredibly complex. On the nose, it smells wonderful: Dark dried cake, wedding cake, Red fruits, very Wine-like, Berries; Subtle sugar, cake custard cream. Wonderfully intricate and so sweet, it must have been aged in sherry casks given its aroma profile. After a few minutes, red apple juice and Creme brulee. The empty glencairn leaves notes of Sweet Quince (we call it membrillo dulce in Ecuador, look it up) and blackberry jam. It's a dessert. On the palate, it's essential to take as many sips as possible because it evolves with each one. The first sip (after not eating or drinking for a couple of hours) (yes, I prepared for this) which is expected to be harsher than the others, is Hot, Spicy, Oaky, Sugary but exceptionally smooth. The subsequent sips are where everything becomes lively. Orange, Caramel, Cough syrup. For a hot/oaky dram, it's very enjoyable. A supremely delicious sensation, Ashes are also present, Hints of smoke, Hints of brown sugar; Mostly oaky but very refined. Bitter sherry, Almonds, and also pepper. Incredibly intricate, as you can see. Aftertaste has a note of ginger mixed with sugar syrup, the finish is extremely long, mouth-filling, powerful but very lovely. Mouthwatering. A spicy delight behind the teeth. You'll wish this were food. You'll wish you could eat this dram instead of drinking it. It is simply outstanding. Overall, 100 out of 100 is the only score I can assign, achieving 25/25 on the nose, palate, finish, and balance. KANPAI! (cheers in Japanese).

It smells like a barrel strength bourbon, rich and deep with notes of vanilla and oak. The taste is remarkably balanced, showing richness while remaining delicate and floral simultaneously. It's like combining the finest aspects of red and white wines into one drink, amplifying the flavor significantly. The finish is not excessively long but is smooth and refined. This dram was something I always wanted to try, and I'm thrilled I had the opportunity!

After some sample bottles with customers following a meeting.. they got serious and opened this one (the only thing I'm relieved about is I didn't pay 😆) For $1,300.. I did expect a lot but.. 🥃: Still Whisky.. but yes, a lot better than Scotch or Irish, for me, its smoothness was nice and the finish was good, but not very complex and it's sweet and fruity, with lychee, orange and honey made me feel a bit strange.. I can't say why. I'm not a fan of Whisky at any cost 😅😅

I don't usually award perfect scores, but this Hibiki 17 is truly exceptional! I recently sampled the Hibiki 21 at a Japanese whisky event, and while it was good, it was a bit too aged for my taste. The 17-year-old is likely the ideal balance of age. It's smooth, rich, and possesses an amazing velvety texture. While I'm unsure if the price will ever decrease enough for me to justify a significant purchase, it's definitely going on my wishlist!

A rich Japanese blended whisky from Suntory. It presents an aromatic beginning with hints of caramel, honey, wax resin, oak, gentle smoke, cacao, and cooked fruit, plum, and nuts; its full-bodied character adds bright notes of mixed citrus peel, raisin, custard with a touch of zest and considerable oak and vanilla; while the long finish offers notes of oak, cocoa, and sherry-soaked peels. October 2017 / August 2018 / July 2022

Nose: light and soft, butterscotch, pineapple, raisins, toffee, floral Palate: honey, ginger, pear, apple cider, touch of mizunara oak Finish: Medium, thin finish with notes of sweet honey and an apple/pear cider This is just an average whisky. I would be infuriated if I spent $400 on this. The difference between the 17 and 21 is astounding.